The Doll’s House

Was this the real secret to a long and happy marriage – gifted to her by an elderly lady with a twinkle in her eye?

Pretty soon we were like two strangers living under the same roof.

“Grandma gave me the doll’s house, along with some instructions, and within a year our marriage was back on track and it’s been wonderful ever since.” She glanced at Evelyn. “I could explain things, but you’d never believe me. So the only way to convince you is to let you take the doll’s house. I can see that you need it.” “Pardon?”

“During the whole interview, I could tell you’re having a few problems in your own marriage. Don’t deny it. My grandmother always said when the right person came along for the doll’s house to help, I’d know it. I’ve had my long happily-ever-after. It’s time to let someone else benefit.”

“I couldn’t possibly take it if it’s been in your family for so long. Surely one of your daughters or grandchildren would like it?” figures once a day; it didn’t have to be the same time each day, but always keep them together; and whatever you do, never, ever, move the figures in anger.

Evelyn didn’t understand. June’s instructions were vague to say the least, so she didn’t know what to expect.

Actually, she did. She expected nothing. She couldn’t explain how June had managed to have those figures looking like her and Ron, but it must be a trick. Like a magician’s trick. And Evelyn fell for it.

June and Tom were probably having a good laugh about her gullibility right now.

When she reached home she put the doll’s house on the coffee table in the lounge, then headed to her home office to type up the wedding anniversary article. It needed to be finished and sent to her editor within three hours.

Only when the completed article had been sent did Evelyn stop for coffee, but when she walked past the doll’s house she froze. It no longer looked like a miniature version of June’s house – it was now a miniature version of Evelyn’s house.

Evelyn’s heart thudded. That’s impossible. She walked slowly towards the doll’s house and opened one wall. Sure enough, the inside now had a layout just like her own home.

With a shaking hand, she picked up the two figurines. Was she really able to solve her and Ron’s problems with this?

She thought about one of her issues. Since she worked from home, Ron always expected Evelyn to have dinner sorted by the time he arrived home at six. Usually, however, Evelyn had her own deadlines to meet. Instead of Ron helping get dinner ready, he’d simply wait for Evelyn to cook something, no matter how late it was. Sure, occasionally he’d bring some takeaway home – but they couldn’t afford that every night.

Evelyn put the two figures in the kitchen together, side by side near the miniature stove. Alwayskeepthemtogether, June had said. Done. The sceptic in her didn’t believe this would work, but then, she could not explain why the house now looked like her own, including the

your phone. What’s going on? Are you having an affair?”

“What? No, I’m not. Look, I’m flattered by Sarah’s attention, I admit it. But I’m not interested in her.”

“Then why the meet-up on Friday?” “That’s a work lunch. A meeting. There will be ten of there. I swear it. I can send you a photo with everyone there, OK?”

“But I’m still upset about the flirting,” Evelyn said. “You should have stopped it.”

“I know. I’m sorry, it’s just that for a while now my mind’s felt so foggy and weird, but when I talk to Sarah I feel like me again. I know that sounds like a pathetic excuse, though.”

But it wasn’t pathetic and the guilt hit Evelyn hard. She had no idea the doll’s house was affecting him like that.

“It’s OK.” She patted the space on the sofa next her. “Come here.”

Ron crossed the room but before he reached her he slipped and went flying across the room, hitting the wall hard.

Evelyn ran to him. He was unconscious. With shaking hands she dialled 999, and during the conversation she stared at the doll’s house. Neveruseitinanger. But she had, and now Ron was hurt.

She bet Mrs Walters had used it in anger too, and wished the elderly woman had never given her the doll’s house. It wasn’t real magic that powered it, but something darker. Something evil.

She stayed with Ron until he regained consciousness, but he needed to stay at the hospital overnight.

By the time she arrived home, Evelyn knew what she had to do. She took the doll’s house into the back yard, stuffed it full of newspaper and lit a match. Slowly the flames grew bigger.

Then a strange popping sound from behind her made her spin around. Smoke was pouring from her own home. The flames quickly spread. She lifted her mobile to dial 999 again, but stopped. If firemen doused the flames too soon, she feared the doll’s house would survive.

No – she’d have to let her home burn, to make sure the doll’s house was destroyed.

When it was nothing but ashes, she took the two figures from her pocket. They no longer looked like her and Ron. They were totally blank.

Evelyn smiled. Their house could be rebuilt and their marriage could go back to the way it was. Not perfect, but they were free to be themselves again.

For better or worse.

BY ROSEMARY HAYES www.myweekly.co.uk